Method for producing novel spinosyn derivatives

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to methods for producing novel spinosyn derivatives which are substituted with a 1-hydroxy-ethyl radical in the C-21 position and to novel spinosyn derivatives of this type per se and to their use for producing novel spinosyns.

The present invention relates to methods for producing novel spinosyn derivatives which are substituted with a 1-hydroxy-ethyl radical in the C-21 position and to novel spinosyn derivatives of this type per se and to their use for producing novel spinosyns.

The spinosyns are known compounds. Spinosyns are fermentation products which are produced by cultures of the actinomycetes Saccharopolyspora spinosa. Natural spinosyns consist of a tetracyclic polyketide backbone (aglycone) with a 12-membered macrolide ring and a 5,6,5-cis-anti-trans-tricycle and also a D-forosamine and a 2,3,4-ti-O-methyl-L-rhamnose sugar moiety (Kirst et al., 1991, Tetrahedron Letters, 32:4839). More than 20 different natural spinosyns, the “A83543 complex”, have been described previously (cf. WO 97/00265, WO 94/20518 and WO 93/09126). EP-A 375316, for example, describes the spinosyns A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and J. WO 93/09126 discloses the spinosyns L, M, N, Q, R, S and T. The spinosyns K, O, P, U, V, W and Y and their derivatives are mentioned in WO 94/20518. These compounds vary in the substitution of one or more methyl groups on the tetracyclic backbone, on the D-forosamine-sugar moiety or on the 2,3,4-tri-O-methyl-L-rhamnose sugar moiety. A 17-pseudoaglycone which reacts the D-forosamine sugar moiety has likewise been isolated from S. spinosa culture broth.

The main components of the A83543 complex produced by S. spinosa are the variants spinosyn A and spinosyn D which are the essential components of the product spinosad (cf. Pesticide Manual, British Crop Protection Council, 11^(th) Ed., 1997, page 1272 and Dow Elanco Trade Magazine Down to Earth, Vol. 52, NO. 1, 1997 and the literature quoted therein).

If the amino sugar in the C-17 position is not present, the compounds are referred to as spinosyn A, D, etc. 17-pseudoaglycone; if the neutral sugar in the C-9 position is not present, the compounds are referred to as spinosyn A, D, etc. 9-pseudoaglycone. Spinosyns without the two sugar residues in the positions C-9 and C-17 are referred to as spinosyn aglycone.

Spinosyns are suitable for controlling arachnids, nematodes, ectoparasites (cf. WO 01/11962, WO 01/11963, WO 01/11964) and insects, in particular Lepidopteraand Diptera species. In addition, technical application of the spinosyns is environmentally sound and, moreover, this substance class has an attractive toxicological profile.

However, animal pests, in particular ectoparasites, or plant pests which are currently controlled using spinosyns can be expected to be able to develop a resistance to these commercially available active substances. It is therefore important to produce novel biologically active spinosyn derivatives which can replaced the spinosyns currently used for controlling pests.

Recently, Saccharopolyspora sp. (LW107129) has been used to generate specific natural aglycone derivatives of spinosyn which have a hydroxyl group in the C-8 position of the macrolide backbone and which have become known as insecticidal compounds (cf. WO 01/19840). While numerous modifications of spinosyns have been carried out (cf. WO 97/00265), derivatizations on the methyl group and ethyl group in the C-21 position of the macrolide backbone drew only little attention. Although functionalization of the alkyl radical in the C-21 position would be advantageous, inter alia for derivatization reactions, only few spinosyn derivatives are known whose substituents have a hydroxyl group in C-21. For example, only recently have spinosyn derivatives been described which are substituted in C-21 with a 3-hydroxy-1-butenyl radical, which may, where appropriate, additionally carry a hydroxyl group in the abovementioned C-8 position and which have an insecticidal action (cf. WO 01/19840).

While chemical synthesis methods for preparing spinosyn derivatives have been described (cf. Martynow, J. G. and Kirst, H. A., 1994, J. Org. Chem., 59: 1548), there has up until now been no knowledge about chemical synthesis of the abovementioned spinosyn derivatives having a 1-hydroxy-ethyl radical in the C-21 position.

It is the object of the present invention to provide suitable methods which may be used for the selective and/or stereospecific production of novel spinosyn derivatives having a 1-hydroxy-ethyl radical in the C-21 position.

The object was achieved by providing methods for producing compounds of the general formula (I),

in which

-   A-B is any of the following groups: —HC═CH—, —HC═C(CH₃)—; —H₂C—CH₂—     or —H₂C—CH(CH₃)—, -   D is the group -   R¹ is hydrogen or an amino sugar and -   R² is hydrogen or a sugar,     in which compounds of the general formula (II),     in which     A-B, D and R¹ are as defined above,     are contacted with a microorganism in an aqueous nutrient medium     under aerobic conditions or with an enzyme extract prepared     therefrom or with one or more enzymes isolated therefrom.

The starting compounds are thus selectively and/or stereospecifically converted to spinosyn derivatives substituted in the C-21 position by a 1-hydroxy-ethyl radical by means of biotransformation using microorganisms or their enzymes.

The term “spinosyn derivatives”, as used herein, also comprises spinosyn aglycone compounds, i.e. compounds which have the macrolide backbone of the spinosyns but no sugar radicals.

Preference is given to using as starting compounds those compounds of the general formula (II)

in which, in the case (1) that

-   A-B is any of the following groups: —HC═CH—, —HC═C(CH₃)—, —H₂C—CH₂—     or —H₂C—CH(CH₃)— and -   D is the group -   R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a -    and -   R² is a sugar of the formula 2a     or in which, in the case (2) that -   A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —H₂C—CH₂— and -   D is as defined above, -   R¹ is an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1a and -   R² is hydrogen or a sugar of the formula 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e or 2f     or in which, in the case (3) that -   A-B is any of the following groups: —HC═CH—, —HC═C(CH₃)— or     —H₂C—CH₂— and -   D is as defined above, -   R¹ is hydrogen or an amino sugar of the formula 1b -    and -   R² is hydrogen or a sugar of the abovementioned formula 2a     or in which, in the case (4) that -   A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)— and -   D is as defined above, -   R¹ is an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1a and -   R² is a sugar of the formula 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j or 2k     or in which, in the case (5) that -   A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —H₂C—CH₂— and -   D is as defined above, -   R¹ is an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1a and -   R² is a sugar of the formula 2l or 2m     or in which, in the case (6) that -   A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)— and -   D is as defined above, -   R¹ is hydrogen or an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1b or     an amino sugar of the formula 1c -    and -   R² is a sugar of the abovementioned formula 2b, 2c, 2g or 2h or a     sugar of the formula 2n     or in which, in the case (7) that -   A-B is the group —HC═CH— and -   D is as defined above, -   R¹ is an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1a and -   R² is a sugar of the formula 2o     or in which, in the case (8) that -   A-B is the group —HC═CH— and -   D is as defined above, -   R¹ is an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1b and -   R² is a sugar of the abovementioned formula 2d, 2i or 2j -    or a sugar of the formula 2p     or in which, in the case (9) that -   A-B is the group —HC═CH— and -   D is as defined above, -   R¹ is hydrogen or an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1c     and -   R² is a sugar of the abovementioned formula 2i or 2p,     or in which, in the case (10) that -   A-B is the group —HC═CH— and -   D is as defined above, -   R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1d, 1e or 1f -    and -   R² is a sugar of the abovementioned formula 2a     or in which, in the case (11) that -   A-B is the group —HC═CH— and -   D is the group -   R¹ is hydrogen or an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1a.

Particular preference is given to using as starting compounds those compounds of the general formula (II)

in which, in the case (12) that

-   A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)— and -   D is the group -   R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a and -   R² is a sugar of the formula 2a, 2g or 2h     or in which; in the case (13) that -   A-B is the group —HC═CH— and -   D is as defined above, -   R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a and -   R² is hydrogen or a sugar of the formula 2d, 2e, 2l, 2m or 2o     or in which, in the case (14) that -   A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)— and -   D is as defined above, -   R¹ is hydrogen or an amino sugar of the formula 1b and -   R² is hydrogen or a sugar of the formula 2a     or in which A-B, D and R¹ are as defined in the case (11).

Very particular preference is given to using as starting compounds compounds of the general formula (II)

in which, in the case (15) that

-   A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)— and -   D is the group -   R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a and -   R² is a sugar of the formula 2a     or in which, in the case (16) that -   A-B is the group —HC═CH— and -   D is as defined above, -   R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a and -   R² is hydrogen or a sugar of the formula 2d, 2l or 2m     or in which A-B, D and R¹ are as defined in the case (11).

Most preference is given to using as starting compounds compounds of the general formula (II)

in which, in the case (17) that

-   A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)— and -   D is the group -   R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a and -   R² is a sugar of the formula 2a     or in which, in the case (18) that -   A-B is the group —HC═CH— and -   D is as defined above, -   R¹ is hydrogen and -   R² is hydrogen.

The present invention also relates to the compounds of the general formula (I) in which A-B, D and R¹ are as defined above.

The abbreviation “Me” used herein represents methyl; the abbreviation “Et” represents ethyl.

The method of the invention may be used to form the optically active, stereoisomeric forms but also diastereomeric forms of the compounds of the general formula (I).

The compounds of the invention of the formula (I) can exist in stereoisomeric forms which either behave as image and mirror image (enantiomers) or which do not behave as image and mirror image (diastereomers). The present invention relates to both the enantiomers and the diastereomers and to the respective mixtures thereof. The racemic forms as well as the diastereomers can be resolved into the stereo-isomerically uniform components in the known manner. Where appropriate, methods known per se can be used to interconvert said isomers.

The compounds of the invention, in which R¹ is an amino sugar of the formulae 1a-1e, may form salts. Salts are formed according to the standard methods for preparing salts. For example, the compounds of the invention are neutralized with appropriate acids in order to produce acid addition salts. Representatively usable acid addition salts are salts which form, for example, due to a reaction with other inorganic acids such as, for example, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, or organic carboxylic acids such as acetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, citric acid, succinic acid, lactic acid, formic acid, maleic acid, camphoric acid, phthalic acid, glycolic acid, glutaric acid, stearic acid, salicylic acid, sorbic acid, cinnamic acid, picric acid, benzoic acid, or organic sulfonic acids such as methanesulfonic acid and para-toluenesulfonic acid, or with basic amino acids such as aspartic acid, glutamic acid, arginine, or the like.

The compounds of the general formula (II), which may be used as starting compounds for the method of the invention, have been described (cf. Creemer L. C. et al., 1998, J. Antibiotics 51 (8): 795-800; Sparks T. C. et al., 1998, J. Econ. Entomol. 91 (6): 1277-1283; Sparks T. C. et al., 2000, Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 67 (3): 187-197; Paquette L. A. et al., 1998, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 120 (11): 2553-2563; Evans D. A. et al., 1993, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 115 (11): 4497-4513; Crouse G. D. et al., 2001, Pest. Manag. Sci. 57 (2): 177-185; Creemer L. C. et al., 2000, J. Antibiotics 53 (2): 171-178; Sparks T. C. et al., 2000, Proc.-Beltwide Cotton Conf. Vol. 2: 1225-1229) or may be prepared according to the method described in WO 01/16303. Similarly, the starting compounds usable for the method of the invention may be obtained starting from the appropriate natural spinosyns.

When using, for example, the spinosyn A aglycone of the formula (IIa), the method of the invention can be represented by the following reaction scheme 1:

Selective and/or stereo specific hydroxylations of natural products and of synthetic compounds by bioconversion using microorganisms or their enzymes have been described in the literature. Use was made, in particular, of cells and/or enzymes of Gram-positive bacteria such: as streptomycetes or Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas or fungi such as Fusarium. Examples of microorganisms containing appropriate enzyme classes such as, for example, P-450 monooxygenases are listed in the following table: Organism/enzyme Chemical compound class Reference Streptomyces halstedii Hydroxylation of U.S. Pat. No. 5972994 galbonolides A and B CStreptomyces sp. MA 7065 Hydroxylation of Taxol and U.S. Pat. No. 5756536 cephalomannines Streptomyces roseochromogenes Hydroxylation of 11-oxo- or U.S. Pat. No. 2864837 (Waksman collection 3689), 11β-hydroxy-6α- Streptomyces sp. (ATCC 11009), methylprogesterone to the and Streptomyces 16α-hydroxy derivative which roseochromogenes (ATCC 3347) is then acetylated Nocardioides luteus 6-Hydroxy-7-deoxytaxanes U.S. Pat. No. 6162622 Fusarium moniliforme Preparation of 7α-hydroxyl FR-A 2771105 derivatives from dehydroepiandrosterone and pregnenolone Beauveria bassiana 2-phenoxypropionic acid WO 95/29249 Cunninghamella blakesleena Hydroxylation of avermectin U.S. Pat. No. 4666937 (ATCC 8688a) EP-A 194125 Pseudomonas testosteroni ATCC m-Hydroxybenzoate is U.S. Pat. No. 4217416 31492 transformed to give 2,3- dihydroxybenzoate Mortierella maculata Preparation of pravastatin, WO 00/46175 starting from compactin NADPH cytochrome-P450 Hydroxylation of various WO 93/21326 reductase of plants substrates Bacterium NRRL-B-18737 Preparation of bisphenol alkyl U.S. Pat. No. 5132228 alcohols, starting from bisphenol alkanes Pseudomonas mendocina kr-1 Bioconversion of a phenyl WO 89/09828 monooxygenase genes compound to a phenolic compound Microorganisms or enzymes Preparation of optically active WO 00/29606 3-hydroxy-pyrrolidines Recombinant Yarrowia lipolytica Bioconversion of progesterone WO 00/03008 expressing heterologous to 17α-hydroxyprogesterone cytochrome-P450 systems Geranylgeraniol-18-hydroxylase Bioconversion of U.S. Pat. No. 5879916 purified from Croton sublyratus geranylgeraniol to plaunotol

According to the invention and to the abovementioned reaction scheme 1, it is possible to contact compounds of the general formula (II) in which A-B, D and R¹ are as defined above with a suitable microorganism in an aqueous nutrient medium under aerobic conditions and then to isolate the desired compounds of the general formula (I).

It is also possible to use, instead of said microorganisms, enzyme extracts and purified enzymes, if appropriate after addition or with regeneration of the required cofactors, which are obtainable by common methods starting from said microorganisms.

It is in particular also possible to clone genes determining the biosynthesis of such enzymes and express them in foreign hosts such as, for example, Escherichia coli. Recombinant bacteria of this type may be used immediately for biotransformation. In addition, it is also possible to use an enzyme extract of such a recombinant cell or a purified protein for biotransformation, where appropriate after addition or with regeneration of the required cofactors.

Preference is given to using for the method of the invention a microorganism from the group of actinomycetes, in particular of the genus Streptomyces.

Particular preference is given to using for the method of the invention a strain of the genus Streptomyces djakartensis, Streptomyces griseofuscus, Streptomyces caelestis, Streptomyces antibioticus, Streptomyces griseus or Streptomyces aureofaciens.

Very particular preference is given to using for the method of the invention a strain having the characteristic features of the following strains: Name Deposition No. Streptomyces djakartensis NRRL B-12103 Streptomyces griseofuscus DSM 40191 Streptomyces caelestis DSM 40084 Streptomyces antibioticus ATCC 11891 Streptomyces griseus DSM 40937 Streptomyces aureofaciens DSM 46447

The strains mentioned in the table have been deposited again with the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH (DSMZ), Mascheroder Weg 1b, D-38124 Brunswick, Germany, in accordance with requirements of the Budapest treaty: Name Deposition No. Streptomyces djakartensis DSM 14327 Streptomyces griseofuscus DSM 14330 Streptomyces caelestis DSM 14328 Streptomyces antibioticus DSM 14329 Streptomyces griseus DSM 14331 Streptomyces aureofaciens DSM 14332

The strains are described in more detail in Example 16. It is possible to use not only the deposited strains per se but also mutants thereof, as long as these mutants have the characteristic features of the deposited strains, i.e. the mutants must still be capable of carrying out the bioconversion of the invention.

The aqueous nutrient medium preferably contains an assimilable carbon source and an assimilable nitrogen source.

The compounds of the formula (I) are produced, for example, when fermenting a strain of the species Streptomyces djakartensis, S. griseofuscus, S. caelestis, S. antibioticus, S. griseus or S. aureofaciens in an aqueous nutrient medium under aerobic conditions in the presence of compounds of the formula (II). The microorganisms are typically fermented in a nutrient medium containing a carbon source and, where appropriate, proteinaceous material. Preferred carbon sources include glucose, brown sugar, sucrose, glycerol, starch, corn starch, lactose, dextrin, molasses, etc. Preferred nitrogen sources include cotton seed meal, yeast, autolyzed bakers' yeast, solid milk constituents, soybean meal, cornmeal, pancreatic or papainic casein hydrolyzates, solid distillation components, broths of animal peptone, meat and bone fragments, etc. Preference is given to using combinations of these carbon and nitrogen sources. Trace elements such as, for example, zinc, magnesium, manganese, cobalt, iron, etc. need not be added to the culturing medium as long as tapwater and nonpurified constituents are being used as components of the medium.

Production of the compounds of the general formula (I) may be induced at any temperature which ensures sufficient growth of the microorganisms. The temperature is preferably between 21° C. and 32° C., particularly preferably approximately 28° C. Optimal production of the compounds of the formula (I) is usually achieved within 2 to 4 days after addition of the compounds of the formula (II) to the culture. The compounds of the invention may be produced both in shaker bottles and in stirred fermenters.

Preferred growth conditions and media for growing in shaker flasks are described in Examples 2 to 9.

The compounds of the invention as biotransformation product may be isolated from the culturing medium by common methods.

Various methods may be applied in order to isolate and purify the compounds of the invention from the fermentation broth, such as, for example, preparative gel chromatography, preparative chromatography on reversed phase or preparative absorption chromatography. The detection may be carried out, for example, by UV absorption or mass spectrometry.

The compounds of the invention may be used for preparing biologically active, in particular insecticidal and acaricidal, spinosyns. The biological efficacy of particular natural aglycone derivatives of spinosyn, which have a hydroxyl group in the C-8 position of the macrolide backbone, has recently been described (cf. WO 01/19840). Further examples which may be mentioned are spinosyn derivatives with a 3-hydroxy-1-butenyl radical in the C-21 position, which have likewise been described recently. Where appropriate, these spinosyn derivatives may also additionally carry a hydroxyl group in any of the abovementioned C-8 position and likewise have an insecticidal activity (cf. WO 01/19840).

It is advantageous to use suitable protective groups (PG) when preparing further spinosyn derivatives from the inventive compounds of the general formula (I) in which R¹ is hydrogen and D is the group C═O or C—O—R² where R² is hydrogen. Known examples of protective groups (PG) for hydroxyl groups are substituted methyl ethers and ethers, substituted ethyl ethers, substituted benzyl ethers, silyl ethers, esters, carbonates or sulfonates (cf. Greene T. W., Wuts P. G. W. in Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis; John Wiley & Sohns, Inc. 1999, Protection for the hydroxyl group, including 1,2- and 1,3-diols).

Examples of protective groups (PG) of the substituted methyl ether type, which may be mentioned, are: methoxymethyl (MOM) ethers, methylthiomethyl (MTM) ethers, (phenyl-dimethylsilyl)methoxymethyl (SMOM-OR) ethers, benzyloxymethyl (BOM-OR) ethers, para-methoxybenzyloxymethyl (PMBM-OR) ethers, para-nitrobenzyloxy-methyl ethers, ortho-nitrobenzyloxymethyl (NBOM-OR) ethers, (4-methoxyphenoxy)-methyl (p-AOM-OR) ethers, guaiacolmethyl (GUM-OR) ethers, tert-butoxymethyl ethers, 4-pentenyl-oxymethyl (POM-OR) ethers, silyloxymethyl ethers, 2-methoxyethoxy-methyl (MEM-OR) ethers, 2,2,2-trichloroethoxymethyl ethers, bis(2-chloroethoxy)-methyl ethers, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl (SEM-OR) ethers, methoxy-methyl (MM-OR) ethers.

Examples of protective groups (PG) of the substituted ethyl ether type, which may be mentioned, are: 1-ethoxyethyl (EE-OR) ethers, 1-(2-chloroethoxy)ethyl (Cee-OR) ethers, 1-[2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxy]ethyl (SEE-OR) ethers, 1-methyl-1-methoxyethyl (MIP-OR) ethers, 1-methyl-1-benzyloxyethyl (MBE-OR) ethers, 1-methyl-1-benzyloxy-2-fluoro-ethyl ethers, 1-methyl-1-phenoxy-ethyl ethers, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl ethers, 1,1-dianisyl-2,2,2-trichloroethyl (DATE-OR) ethers, 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-phenyliso-propyl (HIP-OR) ethers, 2-trimethylsilylethyl ethers, 2-(benzylthio)ethyl ethers, 2-(phenyl-selenyl)ethyl ethers. Further examples of protective groups (PG) of the ether type, which may be mentioned, are: tetrahydropyranyl (THP-OR) ethers, 3-bromo-tetrahydropyranyl (3-BrTHP-OR) ethers, tetrahydrothiopyranyl ethers, 1-methoxy-cyclohexyl ethers, 2- and 4-picolyl ethers, 3-methyl-2-picolyl-N-oxido ethers, 2-quinolinylmethyl (Qm-OR) ethers, 1-pyrenylmethyl ethers, dipenylmethyl (DPM-OR) ethers, para,para′-dinitrobenzhydryl (RO-DNB) ethers, 5-dibenzosuberyl ethers, triphenylmethyl (Tr-OR) ethers, α-naphthyldiphenylmethyl ethers, para-methoxy-phenyldiphenylmethyl (MMTr-OR) ethers, di(para-methoxy-phenyl)phenylmethyl (DMTr-OR) ethers, tri(para-methoxy-phenyl)methyl (TMTr-OR) ethers, 4-(4′-bromo-phenacyloxy) phenyldiphenylmethyl ethers, 4,4′,4″-tris(4,5-dichlorophthalimido-phenyl)methyl (CPTr-OR) ethers, 4,4′,4″-tris(levulinoyloxy-phenyl)methyl (TLTr-OR) ethers, 4,4′,4″-tris(benzoyloxyphenyl)-methyl (TBTr-OR) ethers, 4,4′-dimethoxy-3″-[N-(imidazolylmethyl)]-trityl (IDTr-OR) ethers, 4,4′-dimethoxy-3″-[N-(imidazolyl-ethyl)carbamoyl]trityl (IETr-OR) ethers, 1,1-bis(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1′-pyrenylmethyl (Bmpm-OR) ethers, 9-anthryl ethers, 9-(9-phenyl)xanthenyl (pixyl-OR) ethers, 9-(9-phenyl-10-oxo)anthryl (tritylon ethers). 4-Methoxy-tetrahydropyranyl (MTHP-OR) ethers, 4-methoxy-tetrahydrothio-pyranyl ethers, 4-methoxy-tetrahydrothio-pyranyl ether S,S-dioxide, 1-[(2-chloro-4-methyl)phenyl]-4-methoxypiperidin-4-yl (CTMP-OR) ethers, 1-(2-fluorophenyl)-4-methoxy-piperidin-4-yl (Fpmp-OR) ethers, 1,4-dioxan-2-yl ethers, tetrahydrofuranyl ethers, tetrahydrothiofuranyl ethers, 2,3,3a,4,5,6,7,7a-octahydro-7,8,8-trimethyl-4,7-methanebenzofuran-2-yl (RO-MBF) ethers, tert-butyl ethers, allyl ethers, propargyl ethers, para-chlorophenyl ethers, para-methoxyphenyl ethers, para-nitrophenyl ethers, 2,4-dinitro-phenyl (RO-DNP) ethers, 2,3,5,6-tetrafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl ethers, benzyl (Bn-OR) ethers. Examples of protective groups of the substituted benzyl ether type, which may be mentioned, are: para-methoxybenzyl (MPM-OR) ethers, 3,4-dimethoxy-benzyl (DMPM-OR) ethers, ortho-nitrobenzyl ethers, para-nitrobenzyl ethers, para-halobenzyl ethers, 2,6-dichloro-benzyl ethers, para-cyanobenzyl ethers, para-phenyl-benzyl ethers, 2,6-difluorobenzyl ethers, para-aminoacylbenzyl (PAB-OR) ethers, para-azidobenzyl (Azb-OR) ethers, 4-azido-3-chlorobenzyl ethers, 2-trifluoromethyl-benzyl ethers, para-(methylsulfinyl)benzyl (Msib-OR) ethers. Examples of protective groups (PG) of the silyl ether type, which may be mentioned are: trimethylsilyl (TMS-OR) ethers, triethylsilyl (TES-OR) ethers, triiso-propylsilyl (TIPS-OR) ethers, dimethylisopropyl-silyl (IPDMS-OR) ethers, diethylisopropylsilyl (DEIPS-OR) ethers, dimethylhexylsilyl (TDS-OR) ethers, tert-butyldimethylsilyl (TBDMS-OR) ethers, tert-butyldiphenylsilyl (TBDPS-OR) ethers, tribenzylsilyl ethers, tri-para-xylylsilyl ethers, triphenylsilyl (TPS-OR) ethers, diphenylmethylsilyl (DPMS-OR) ethers, di-tert-butylmethylsilyl (DTBMS-OR) ethers, tris(tri-methylsilyl)silyl ethers (sisyl ether), (2-hydroxystyryl)-dimethylsilyl (HSDMS-OR) ethers, (2-hydroxystyryl)diisopropylsilyl (HSDIS-OR) ethers, tert-butylmethoxyphenylsilyl (TBMPS-OR) ethers, tert-butoxydiphenylsilyl (DPTBOS-OR) ethers. Examples of protective groups (PG) of the ester type, which may be mentioned, are: formic esters, benzoylformic esters, acetic esters (RO-Ac), chloroacetic esters, dichloroacetic esters, trichloroacetic esters, trifluoroacetic esters (RO-TFA), methoxy-acetic esters, triphenylmethoxyacetic esters, phenoxyacetic esters, para-chlorophenoxy-acetic esters, phenylacetic esters, diphenylacetic esters (DPA-OR), nicotinic esters, 3-phenylpropionic esters, 4-pentenoic esters, 4-oxopentanoic esters (levulinates) (Lev-OR), 4,4-(ethylenedithio)-pentanoic esters (RO-LevS), 5-[3-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)hydroxy-methylphenoxy]levulinic esters, pivalic esters (Pv-OR), 1-adamantanecarboxylic esters, crotonic esters, 4-methoxy-crotonic esters, benzoic esters (Bz-OR), para-phenyl-benzoic esters, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoic esters (mesitoic esters), 4-(methylthiomethoxy)-butyric esters (MTMB-OR), 2-(methylthiomethoxymethyl)benzoic esters (MTMT-OR). Examples of protective groups (PG) of the ester type, which may be mentioned, are: methyl carbonate, methoxymethyl carbonate, 9-fluorenylmethyl carbonate (Fmoc-OR), ethyl carbonate, 2,2,2-trichloroethyl carbonate (Troc-OR), 1,1-dimethyl-2,2,2-trichloro-ethyl carbonate (TCBOC-OR), 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl carbonate (TMSEC-OR), 2-(phenylsulfonyl)-ethyl carbonates (Psec-OR), 2-(triphenylphosphonio)-ethyl carbonates (Peoc-OR), tert-butyl carbonate (Boc-OR), isobutyl carbonate, vinyl carbonate, allyl carbonate (Alloc-OR), p-nitrophenyl carbonate, benzyl carbonate (Z-OR), para-methoxybenzyl carbonate, 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl carbonate, ortho-nitrobenzyl carbonate, para-nitrobenzyl carbonate, 2-dansylethyl carbonate (Dnseoc-OR), 2-(4-nitrophenyl)-ethyl carbonate (Npeoc-OR), 2-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)ethyl carbonate (Dnpeoc-OR). Examples of protective groups (PG) of the sulfonate type, which may be mentioned, are: allylsulfonate (Als-OR), methanesulfonates (Ms-OR), benzylsulfonates, tosylates (Ts-OR), 2-[(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl]sulfonates (Npes-OR).

When preparing further spinosyn derivatives from the abovementioned compounds of the general formula (I), it may be quite advantageous to block initially the 1-hydroxy-ethyl radical in the C-21 position and, where appropriate, the hydroxyl group in the C-9 position (where R²═H) with suitable, for example one of the abovementioned, protective groups (PG). The use of two different protective groups (PG¹ and PG², respectively) is recommended here, and these protective groups should be appropriately compatible, i.e. removable from one another selectively and independently. Subsequently, a derivatization, for example glycosidation, by means of chemical synthesis or by microbial bioconversion (cf. also U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,089; introduction of the radicals R or R′) may take place on the hydroxyl group in the C-17 position to give the spinosyn derivatives (Ia-2 or Ib-2) (cf. schemes 2 and 3).

After successful derivatization in positions. C-9 and, respectively, C-17 (cf. Ia-4) or C-17 (cf. Ib-2), the remaining protective group (PG) can be removed and the spinosyn derivative of the general formula (I) be obtained.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Strains Used TABLE Strains capable of biotransformation of the compound (IIa) to give the corresponding derivatives having a 1-hydroxy-ethyl radical in the C-21 position (compound (Ia)): Name Internal reference Deposition No. Streptomyces djakartensis NRRL B-12103 DSM 14327 Streptomyces griseofuscus DSM 40191 DSM 14330 Streptomyces caelestis DSM40084 DSM 14328 Streptomyces antibioticus ATCC 11891 DSM 14329 Streptomyces griseus DSM 40937 DSM 14331 Streptomyces aureofaciens DSM 46447 DSM 14332 ATCC = American Type Culture Collection, Manassas, VA, U.S.A. DSM = Deutsche Sammlung für Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen, Brunswick, Germany. NRRL = Agricultural Research Service Culture Collection, Peoria, IL, U.S.A.

Example 2

Biotransformation Using S. djakartensis NRRL B-12103

Exemplary biotransformation protocol for producing the compound (Ia) from the compound (IIa).

The producer cultures were prepared by inoculating 20 ml of R5A medium (per liter of R5A medium: 103 g of sucrose; 0.25 g of K₂SO₄; 10.12 g of MgCl₂; 10 g of glucose; 5 g of yeast extract; 0.1 g of casamino acids, 21 g of MOPS buffer pH 6.8 (KOH), 2 ml of trace element solution; trace element solution: (per liter) 40 mg of ZnCl₂, 200 mg of FeCl₃×6H₂O, 10 mg of CuCl₂×2H₂O, 10 mg of MnCl₂×4H₂O, 10 mg of Na₂B₄O₇×10H₂O, 10 mg of (NH4)₆Mo₇O₂₄×4H₂O; (Fernandez et al., 1998, J. Bacteriol. 180: 4929; Hopwood et al., 1985, Genetic manipulation of Streptomyces. A laboratory manual. The John Innes Foundation, Norwich, England) in 100 ml Erlenmeyer flasks with in each case 50 μl of S. djakartensis NRRL B-12103 spore suspension. Prior to inoculation, the medium was sterilized at 121° C. and an overpressure of 1.1 for 20 minutes. The cultures were incubated at 28° C. and 200 rpm. After 24 hours and after 72 hours of incubation, in each case 1 mg of the compound (IIa) (100 μl of a stock solution of 10 mg/ml in methanol) was added. The biotransformation was stopped after 120 hours. The cultures were removed by centrifugation (4000 rpm, 10 minutes) and the supernatant was admixed with the same volume of methanol.

Example 3

Biotransformations Using Streptomyces griseofuscus

Exemplary biotransformation protocol for producing the compound (Ia) from the compound (IIa).

The producer cultures were prepared by applying the method of Example 2, using 50 μl of spore suspension of the strain Streptomyces griseofuscus instead of the strain S. djakartensis NRRL B-12103.

Example 4

Biotransformations Using Streptomyces caelestis

Exemplary biotransformation protocol for producing the compound (Ia) from the compound (IIa).

The producer cultures were prepared by applying the method of Example 2, using 50 μl of spore suspension of the strain Streptomyces caelestis instead of the strain S. djakartensis NRRL B-12103.

Example 5

Biotransformations Using Streptomyces antibioticus

Exemplary biotransformation protocol for producing the compound (Ia) from the compound (IIa).

The producer cultures were prepared by applying the method of Example 2, using 50 μl of spore suspension of the strain Streptomyces antibioticus instead of the strain S. djakartensis NRRL B-12103.

Example 6

Biotransformations Using Streptomyces griseus

Exemplary biotransformation protocol for producing the compound (Ia) from the compound (IIa).

The producer cultures were prepared by applying the method of Example 2, using 50 μl of spore suspension of the strain Streptomyces griseus instead of the strain S. djakartensis NRRL B-12103.

Example 7

Biotransformations Using Streptomyces aureofaciens

Exemplary biotransformation protocol for producing the compound (Ia) from the compound (IIa).

The producer cultures were prepared by applying the method of Example 2, using 50 μl of spore suspension of the strain Streptomyces aureofaciensinstead of the strain S. djakartensis NRRL B-12103.

Example 8

Biotransformations Using Streptomyces djakartensis

Exemplary biotransformation protocol for producing spinosyn A with a 1-hydroxy-ethyl radical in the C-21 position [compound of the general formula (I) in which R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a, A-B is the group —HC═CH— and D is the group —CO—R² where R² is a sugar of the formula 2a].

The producer cultures were prepared by inoculating 20 ml of R5A medium (R5A medium: see Example 2) in 100 ml Erlenmeyer flasks with in each case 50 μl of S. djakartensis NRRL B-12103 spore suspension. Prior to inoculation, the medium was sterilized at 121° C. and an overpressure of 1.1 bar for 20 minutes. The cultures were incubated at 28° C. and 200 rpm. After 48 hours of incubation, 2 mg of spinosyn A (100 μl of a stock solution of 10 mg/ml in methanol) were added. The biotransformation was stopped after 96 hours. The cultures were removed by centrifugation (4000 rpm, 10 minutes) and the supernatant was admixed with the same volume of methanol.

Example 9

Biotransformations Using Streptomyces djakartensis

Exemplary biotransformation protocol for producing 17-pseudo-spinosyn aglycone A with a 1-hydroxy-ethyl radical in the C-21 position [compound of the general formula (I) in which R¹ is hydrogen, A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)— and D is the group —CO—R² where R² is a sugar of the formula 2a].

The producer cultures were prepared by inoculating 20 ml of R5A medium (R5A medium: see Example 2) in 100 ml Erlenmeyer flasks with in each case 50 μl of S. djakartensis NRRL B-12103 spore suspension. Prior to inoculation, the medium was sterilized at 121° C. and an overpressure of 1.1 bar for 20 minutes. The cultures were incubated at 28° C. and 200 rpm. After 48 hours of incubation, 2 mg of 17-pseudo-spinosyn aglycone A or D (100 μl of a stock solution of 10 mg/ml in methanol) were added. The biotransformation was stopped after 96 hours. The cultures were removed by centrifugation (4000 rpm, 10 minutes) and the supernatant was admixed with the same volume of methanol.

Example 10

Isolation of the Compound (Ia) From the Biotransformation with S. djakartensis NRRL B-12103

Exemplary protocol for working up the culture supernatants and concentrating the compound (Ia).

35 ml of the culture supernatant of Example 2, to which methanol had been added, were reduced to about 20 ml and admixed with 10 ml of water. This was followed by extracting twice with in each case 10 ml of ethyl acetate, concentrating the combined organic phases to dryness and resuspending the residue in 400 μl of methanol. An aliquot of this solution was analyzed via HPLC/MS (Example 11).

Example 11

Analytical HPLC/UV/MS

Exemplary protocol for analyzing the worked-up culture supernatants by means of HPLC/UV/MS

An aliquot of the worked-up culture supernatant of the biotransformation with S. djakartensis (Example 2) were subjected to chromatography on a reversed-phase HPLC column (2.1×250 mm) with a gradient of water to which ammonium acetate (25 mmol/l) had been added and methanol to which ammonium acetate (25 mmol/l) had been added and a flow rate of 250 μl/minute. The detection is carried out using UV (245 nm) and electrospray (positive) mass spectrometry on a quadrupole mass spectrometer.

Compound (Ia) has a molecular weight of 418 Dalton and is detected as [M+NH₄]⁺ ion at m/z=436 under these conditions. The retention time of approx. 32.5 minutes is shorter than that of the compound (IIa), which is approx. 37.5 minutes.

Example 12

Extraction and Preparative Preparation in Pure Form of the Compound (Ia) From Shaker Cultures of the Biotransformation with S. djakartensis NRRL B-12103

Fifteen 20 ml cultures of the strain (S. djakartensis) were grown in 100 ml Erlenmeyer flasks according to the method described in Example 2 and the culture supernatants were combined to work up compound (Ia). The combined culture supernatants were worked up as described in Example 11. The residue was resuspended in about 3 ml of methanol. The compound (Ia) was isolated via chromatography on an analytical reversed-phase HPLC column (4.6×250 mm) with a gradient of 25 mmol/l ammonium acetate in water and 25 mmol/l ammonium acetate in methanol. An aliquot of 100 μl was injected for each run. The UV-detection was carried out at 245 nm. The fractions were collected manually, combined and evaporated to dryness. The yield was approximately 1 mg.

Example 13

Elucidation of the Structure of the Compound (Ia)

The preparatively isolated compound (Ia) was resuspended in CD₃OD and studied by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). ¹H-NMR, COSY, TOCSY, HSQC and HMBC spectra were recorded. The table below summarizes the results.

NMR data of compound (Ia) in CD₃OD (500 MHz) δ_(C) δ_(H) Position [ppm] [ppm] Mult. J [Hz] Int. 1 174 — — — 2 35 2.48 dd 14/3 1H 3.12 dd 14/5 1H 3 49 2.93 ddd 10/5/2 1H 4 43 3.49 m 1H 5 129 5.84 ddd 10/3/3 1H 6 131 5.91 d br. 10 1H 7 42 2.23 m 1H 8 41 1.46 m 1H 1.83 dd 13/7 1H 9 73 4.34 m 1H 10 40 1.24 m 1H 2.34 m 1H 11 47 0.94 m 1H 12 51 2.85 m 1H 13 150 7.00 s br. 1H 14 146 — — 15 206 — — 16 50 3.22 m 1H 17 73 3.49 m 1H 18 36 1.43 m 1H 1.48 m 1H 19 23 1.28 m 1H 1.71 m 1H 20 27 1.48 m 1H 1.63 m 1H 21 79 4.70 ddd 10/5/2 1H 22 70 3.65 m 1H 23 18 1.04 d 7 3H 24 16 1.15 d 7 3H (Ia)

Example 14

Analytical Detection of the Hydroxylated Spinosyn A Produced

20 ml of the culture supernatant of the biotransformation of Example 8 to which methanol had been added, were adjusted to pH 5 with a 0.01 N NaOH solution and concentrated to approx. 5 ml of aqueous residue which was then extracted twice with in each case 5 ml of ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were concentrated to dryness in an N₂ stream and resuspended in 200 μl of methanol. An aliquot of this extract was studied by means of LC/MS and LC/MS/MS on a tandem mass spectrometer with electrospray positive ionization.

In the LC/MS chromatogram of the extract a peak appears at 40.0 minutes with [M+H]⁺ m/z=748.5 at low concentration. The spectrum of the daughter ions of this ion has a fragment with m/z=142 which is characteristic for the removal of a forosamine unit.

Examples 15

Analytical Detection of the Hydroxylated 17-Pseudo-Spinosyn Aglycone Produced

20 ml of the culture supernatant of the biotransformation of Example 9 to which methanol had been added, were adjusted to pH 5 with a 0.01 N NaOH solution and concentrated to approx. 5 ml of aqueous residue which was then extracted twice with in each case 5 ml of ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases were concentrated to dryness in an N₂ stream and resuspended in 200 μl of methanol. An aliquot of this extract was studied by means of LC/MS and LC/MS/MS on a tandem mass spectrometer with electrospray positive ionization.

In the LC/MS chromatogram of the extract a peak appears at 38.8 minutes with [M+NH₄]⁺ m/z=624.4 at low concentration. This corresponds to a hydroxylated product of 17-pseudo-spinosyn A aglycone. The spectrum of the daughter ions of this ion has a fragment with m/z=189 which is characteristic for the removal of a trimethylrhamnose unit.

Example 16

Characterization of the Strains Used

a) Streptomyces djakartensis NRRL B-12103:

-   -   This strain was obtained as a niddamycin producer from the         Agricultural Research Service Culture Collection (1815 N.         University Street, Illinois 61604, U.S.A.) with accession number         NRRL B-12103. The strain is described in U.S. Pat. No.         3,646,194. The culture was deposited again with the Deutsche         Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH (DSMZ),         Mascheroder Weg 1b, D-38124 Brunswick, Germany with deposition         number DSM 14327 in accordance with the requirements of the         Budapest treaty on Jun. 6, 2001.         b) Streptomyces griseofuscus DSM 40191:     -   This strain was obtained as bundlin A, B, moldicidin A and         pentamycin producer from the Deutsche Sammlung von         Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen (Mascheroder Weg 1b, D-38124         Brunswick, Germany) with accession number 40191. The culture was         deposited again with the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen         und Zellkulturen GmbH (DSMZ), Mascheroder Weg 1b, D-38124         Brunswick, Germany, with deposition number DSM 14330 in         accordance with the requirements of the Budapest treaty on Jun.         06, 2001.         c) Streptomyces caelestis DSM 40084:     -   This strain was obtained as caelesticetin producer from the         Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen         (Mascheroder Weg 1b, D-38124 Brunswick, Germany) with accession         number 40084. The culture was deposited again with the Deutsche         Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH (DSMZ),         Mascheroder Weg 1b, D-38124 Brunswick, Germany, with deposition         number DSM 14328 in accordance with the requirements of the         Budapest treaty on Jun. 06, 2001.         d) Streptomyces antibioticus ATCC 11891:     -   This strain was obtained as a caelesticetin producer from the         American Type Culture Collection (10801 University Boulevard,         Manassas, Va. 20110-2209, USA) with accession number ATCC 11891.         The culture was deposited again with the Deutsche Sammlung von         Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH (DSMZ), Mascheroder Weg         1b, D-38124 Brunswick, Germany, with deposition number DSM 14329         in accordance with the requirements of the Budapest treaty on         Jun. 06, 2001.         e) Streptomyces griseus DSM 40937:     -   This strain was obtained from the Deutsche Sammlung von         Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen (Mascheroder Weg 1b, D-38124         Brunswick, Germany) with accession number 40937. The culture was         deposited again with the Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen         und Zellkulturen GmbH (DSMZ), Mascheroder Weg 1b, D-38124         Brunswick, Germany, with deposition number DSM 14331 in         accordance with the requirements of the Budapest treaty on Jun.         06, 2001.         f) Streptomyces aureofaciensDSM 46447:     -   This strain was obtained as tetracycline producer from the         Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen         (Mascheroder Weg 1b, D-38124 Brunswick, Germany) with accession         number 40084. The culture was deposited again with the Deutsche         Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH (DSMZ),         Mascheroder Weg 1b, D-38124 Brunswick, Germany, with deposition         number DSM 14332 in accordance with the requirements of the         Budapest treaty on Jun. 06, 2001.

Example 17

Preparation of the Starting Compounds

Spinosyn A Aglycone (IIa)

The spinosyn A aglycone (IIa) [compound of the general formula (II) in which R¹ is hydrogen, A-B is the group —HC═CH— and D is the group C—OH] was prepared from Tracer® as described in WO 01/16303.

9-Keto-Spinosyn A Aglycone: (IIb)

The 9-keto-spinosyn A aglycone (IIb) [compound of the general formula (II) in which R¹ is hydrogen, A-B is the group —HC═CH— and D is the group C═O] was prepared from the compound (IIa) by means of pyridinium dichromate oxidation:

46.55 g (115.6 mmol) of the spinosyn A aglycone (IIa) were dissolved in 1100 ml of abs. dichloromethane under inert gas and admixed with 43.51 g (115.6 mmol) of pyridinium dichromate. After stirring at 25° C. for 4 hours and addition of 900 ml of diethyl ether, the precipitated chromium salts were filtered off and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. Column chromatography on silica gel (eluent: cyclohexane/ethyl acetate 1:1, followed by 100% ethyl acetate) delivered 3.68 g of 9,17-diketospinosyn aglycone and 23.40 g of an approx. 9:1 mixture of the spinosyn A aglycone (IIa) and the 17-keto-spinosyn aglycone (Ib) in addition to 11.74 g of recovered spinosyn A aglycone (IIa). Recrystallization of the mixture in cyclohexane/ethyl acetate concentrates the 9-keto-spinosyn A aglycone (IIb) to >98%. 20.78 g of 9-keto-spinosyn A aglycone (IIb) are obtained in the form of colorless crystals.

TLC: R_(f)(SiO₂, ethyl acetate=0.44—¹H-NMR: CDCl₃, δ=6.77 (s, 13-H); 5.97 (d, 6-H); 5.88 (m, 5-H); 4.72 (m, 21-H); 3.69 (m, 17-H) inter alia—LC/ESI-MS: m/z=401 (25%) [M]⁺, 289 (100%).

Diketospinosyn aglycone: TLC: R_(f)(SiO₂, ethyl acetate)=0.64.—¹H-NMR: CDCl₃, δ=6.92 (s, 13-H); 5.97 (d, 6-H); 5.87 (m, 5-H); 4.85 (m, 21-H); 4.25 (q, 16-H) inter alia—LC/ESI-MS: m/z=399 (100%) [M+H]⁺.

Spinosyn A

The preparation of spinosyn A was initially carried out as described in WO 01/16303. The spinosyn A/D mixture obtained was fractionated by chromatography on a preparative reversed-phase column (250×8 mm). The eluents used were water containing 25 mmol/I ammonium acetate (A) and methanol containing 25 mmol/l ammonium acetate (B). Elution was carried out using a gradient of from 60% B to 100% B in 35 minutes. The flow rate was 3 ml/minute. The separated substances were detected by a UV detector at 242 nm and automatically fractionated. Spinosyn A eluted at approx. 31 minutes and spinosyn D at approx. 33 minutes. The combined fractions of spinosyn A from several injections were evaporated down to the aqueous residue under reduced pressure in the rotary evaporator. Said aqueous solution was freeze-dried and spinosyn A was obtained as a white solid.

17-Pseudospinosyn A/D Aglycone

The 17-pseudospinosyn A/D aglycone was prepared as described in WO 01/16303. 

1. A method for producing compounds of the general formula (I),

in which A-B is any of the following groups: —HC═CH—, —HC═C(CH₃)—, —H₂C—CH₂— or —H₂C—CH(CH₃)—, D is the group

R¹ is hydrogen or an amino sugar and R² is hydrogen or a su gar, characterized in that compounds of the general formula (II),

in which A-B, D and R¹ are as defined above, are contacted with a microorganism in an aqueous nutrient medium under aerobic conditions or with an enzyme extract prepared therefrom or with one or more enzymes isolated therefrom.
 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that compounds of the general formula (II) are used, in which formula, in the case (1) that A-B is any of the following groups: —HC═CH—, —HC═C(CH₃)—, —H₂C—CH₂— or —H₂C—CH(CH₃)— and D is the group

R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a

 and R² is a sugar of the formula 2a

or in which, in the case (2) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —H₂C—CH₂— and D is as defined above, R¹ is an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1a and R² is hydrogen or a sugar of the formula 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e or 2f

or in which, in the case (3) that A-B is any of the following groups: —HC═CH—, —HC═C(CH₃)— or —H₂C—CH₂— and D is as defined above, R¹ is hydrogen or an amino sugar of the formula 1b

and R² is hydrogen or a sugar of the abovementioned formula 2a or in which, in the case (4) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)— and D is as defined above, R¹ is an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1a and R² is a sugar of the formula 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j or 2k

or in which, in the case (5) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —H₂C—CH₂— and D is as defined above; R¹ is an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1a and R² is a sugar of the formula 2l or 2m.

or in which, in the case (6) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)— and D is as defined above, R¹ is hydrogen or an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1b or an amino sugar of the formula 1c

and R² is a sugar of the abovementioned formula 2b, 2c, 2g or 2h or a sugar of the formula 2n

or in which, in the case (7) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— and D is as defined above, R¹ is an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1a and R² is a sugar of the formula 2o

or in which, in the case (8) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— and D is as defined above, R¹ is an amino sugar of the abovementioned 1b and R² is a sugar of the abovementioned formula 2d, 2i or 2j or a sugar of the formula 2p

in which, in the case (9) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— and D is as defined above, R¹ is hydrogen or an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1c and R² is a sugar of the abovementioned formula 2i or 2p or in which, in the case (10) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— and D is as defined above, R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1d, 1e or 1f

and R² is a sugar of the abovementioned formula 2a or in which, in the case (11) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— and D is the group

R¹ is hydrogen or an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1a.
 3. The method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that compounds of the general formula (II) are used, in which formula, in the case (12) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)— and D is the group

R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a and R² is a sugar of the formula 2a, 2g or 2h or in which, in the case (13) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— and D is as defined above, R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a and R² is hydrogen or a sugar of the formula 2d, 2e, 2l, 2m or 2o or in which, in the case (14) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)— and D is as defined above, R¹ is hydrogen or an amino sugar of the formula 1b and R² is hydrogen or a sugar of the formula 2a or in which A-B, D and R¹ are as defined as in the case (11).
 4. The method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that compounds of the general formula (II) are used, in which formula, in the case (15) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)— and D is the group

R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a and R² is a sugar of the formula 2a or in which, in the case (16) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— and D is as defined above, R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a and R² is hydrogen or a sugar of the formula 2d, 2l or 2m or in which A-B, D and R¹ are as defined in the case (11).
 5. The method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that compounds of the general formula (II) are used, in which formula in the case (17) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)— and D is the group

R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a and R² is a sugar of the formula 2a or in which, in the case (18) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— and D is as defined above, R¹ is hydrogen and R² is hydrogen.
 6. The method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the microorganism used is a microorganisms from the group of actinomycetes.
 7. The method as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the microorganism used from the group of actinomycetes is a microorganism of the genus Streptomyces.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the microorganism used of the genus Streptomyces is a strain of the species Streptomyces djakartensis, Streptomyces griseofuscus, Streptomyces caelestis, Streptomyces antibioticus, Streptomyces griseus or Streptomyces aureofaciens.
 9. The method as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the strain has the characteristic features of the strains Streptomyces djakartensis DSM 14327, Streptomyces griseofuscus DSM 14330, Streptomyces caelestis DSM 14328, Streptomyces antibioticus DSM 14329, Streptomyces griseus DSM 14331 or Streptomyces aureofaciensDSM
 14332. 10. The method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the compounds of the general formula (I) are isolated.
 11. A compound of the general formula (I),

in which A-B is any of the following groups: —HC═CH—, —HC═C(CH₃)—, —H₂C—CH₂— or —H₂C—CH(CH₃)—, D is the group

R¹ is an amino sugar and R² is a sugar.
 12. The compound as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that, in the case (1) that A-B is any of the following groups: —HC═CH—, —HC═C(CH₃)—, —H₂C—CH₂— or —H₂C—CH(CH₃)— and D is the group

R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a

 and R² is a sugar of the formula 2a

or, in the case (2) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —H₂C—CH₂— and D is as defined above, R¹ is an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1a and R² is hydrogen or a sugar of the formula 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e or 2f

or, in the case (3) that A-B is one of the following groups: —HC═CH—, —HC═C(CH₃)— or —H₂C—CH₂— and D is as defined above, R¹ is hydrogen or an amino sugar of the formula 1b

 and R² is hydrogen or a sugar of the abovementioned formula 2a or, in the case (4) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)— and D is as defined above, R¹ is an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1a and R² is a sugar of the formula 2g, 2h, 2i, 2j or 2k

or, in the case (5) that A-B is the group —HC═C—H— or —H₂C—CH₂— and D is as defined above, R¹ is an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1a and R² is a sugar of the formula 2l or 2m

or, in the case (6) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)— and D is as defined above, R¹ is hydrogen or an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1b or an amino sugar of the formula 1c

 and R² is a sugar of the abovementioned formula 2b, 2c, 2g or 2h or a sugar of the formula 2n

or, in the case (7) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— and D is as defined above, R¹ is an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1a and R² is a sugar of the formula 2o

or, in the case (8) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— and D is as defined above, R¹ is an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1b and R² is a sugar of the abovementioned formula 2d, 2i or 2j  or a sugar of the formula 2p

or, in the case (9) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— and D is as defined above, R¹ is hydrogen or an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1c and R² is a sugar of the abovementioned formula 2i or 2p or, in the case (10) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— and D is as defined above, R¹ is amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1d, 1e or an amino sugar of the formula 1f

and R² is a sugar of the abovementioned formula 2a or, in the case (11) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— and D is the group

R¹ is hydrogen or an amino sugar of the abovementioned formula 1a.
 13. The compound as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that, in the case (12) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)— and D is the group

R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a and R² is a sugar of the formula 2a, 2g or 2h or, in the case (13) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— and D is as defined above, R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a and R² is hydrogen or a sugar of the formula 2d, 2e, 21, 2m or 2o or, in the case (14) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)— and D is as defined above, R¹ is hydrogen or an amino sugar of the formula 1b and R² is hydrogen or a sugar of the formula 2a or A-B, D and R¹ are as defined as in the case (11).
 14. The compound as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that, in the case (15) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)— and D is the group

R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a and R² is a sugar of the formula 2a or, in the case (16) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— and D is as defined above, R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a and R² is hydrogen or a sugar of the formula 2d, 2l or 2m or A-B, D and R¹ are as defined as in the case (11).
 15. The compound as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that, in the case (17) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)— and D is the group

R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a and R² is a sugar of the formula 2a or, in the case (18) that A-B is the group —HC═CH— and D is as defined above, R¹ is hydrogen and R² is hydrogen.
 16. The compound as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that A-B is the group —HC═CH—, D is the group

R¹ is an amino sugar of the formula 1a and R² is a sugar of the formula 2a, or in which A-B is the group —HC═CH— or —HC═C(CH₃)—, D is as defined above, R¹ is hydrogen and R² is a sugar of the formula 2a, or in which A-B is a group —HC═CH—, D is as defined above, R¹ is hydrogen and R² is hydrogen.
 17. The use of compounds as claimed in any of claims 11 to 16 for producing novel spinosyn derivatives. 